For Isabella Gruszka, Head of Mobile Onboarding at a leading telecommunications company, continuing her executive education at MIT Sloan Executive Education was more than an academic pursuit; it was a powerful investment in navigating change with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Having completed both the Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation and the Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership, Isabella credits the programs with profoundly enriching her leadership mindset and supporting her day-to-day work in meaningful ways.
A Leader Focused on People, Not Just Technology
A seasoned leader deeply engaged in driving technological and business transformation, Isabella has learned a critical truth over the years: change isn’t about technology, it’s about people.
“As Shige Sato, co-founder and CEO of Argos Labs once said, ‘People transform business, not technology. Focus on your people, always.’ That resonates strongly with me,” she reflects.
Putting People First During Disruption
This insight has shaped her current focus on managing the human side of change. In her recent course, Managing the Human Side of Digital Disruption, Isabella found both the content and frameworks to be immediately actionable. One tool that stood out was the Transition-Curve Framework, which addresses how people navigate the emotional and practical realities of change. Rather than isolating roles, skills, and emotions, the framework acknowledges their overlap, something Isabella has experienced firsthand in her own leadership journey.
Leading Through Uncertainty in a Global Crisis
She recalls the spring of 2020, when the onset of the global pandemic shook workplaces around the world. At the time, Isabella was leading a complex international project. Despite years of remote experience, even her most seasoned team members began to show signs of uncertainty and disengagement. With little clarity about what the future held, she instinctively stepped into a coaching role, supporting her team emotionally and helping them regain their focus.
"We didn't have a roadmap, but we had trust. By creating a safe space and validating each other's emotions, we were able to stay grounded and move forward."
Looking back, Isabella sees how much the Transition-Curve Framework could have supported that moment. “Having a structured approach would have made the process easier, for me and my team.”
Flexible Learning with Immediate Impact
One of the features Isabella appreciates most about MIT Sloan Executive Education is the self-paced format. While she hopes to one day attend a course onsite in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the flexibility of online learning has allowed her to absorb material deeply, explore additional resources, and connect ideas to her real-world projects. The weekly assessments have been especially valuable, providing feedback that reinforces understanding and helps her develop frameworks she can apply immediately.
Equipping Leaders for Human-Centered Transformation
Isabella’s experience is a reminder that leadership is as much about mindset as it is about management. With tools from MIT and a people-first approach, she’s transforming not only the way businesses adapt, but the way teams thrive.
Learn more about earning an Executive Certificate from MIT Sloan.